hotmtlnovel Chapter 161: Very Clean
Chapter 161: Very Clean
Chapter 161: Very Clean
"The more human civilization progresses, the less weight necessity carries. For instance, back in prehistoric times, when humans were still like monkeys, the preferred body type was broad-shouldered and sturdy, because it ensured reproduction. As civilization advanced, preferences shifted to favor faces, slim waists, and curvaceous figures. This is a sign of progress. In a sense, your legs and your face are no different. To rank them as superior or inferior would actually be a step backward.
In truth, every part of the body is the same. As productivity improves and material needs are met, individual liberation occurs, and aesthetics become more diverse. A beautiful body is attractive in every part. This isn’t about being strange or not—it’s simply about personal preference...”
"Shut up!"
“I was just—”
Xu Qing trailed off under Jiang He’s angry and embarrassed glare.
The living room lights were on. Jiang He sat on her small chair in front of her computer, while Xu Qing was on the couch, trying to explain away that unconscious action from earlier.
Even though he had rambled off a seemingly reasonable explanation, Xu Qing himself didn’t believe it. Why did it feel so weird?
He had never noticed this kind of preference before. There had been no signs at all. Though it wasn’t exactly strange, it was still...
Was it her fault for being too pretty?
He had expected calloused hands but found none. Instead, they fit perfectly in his palm—warm, smooth, and delicate. The sensation was so mesmerizing that Xu Qing couldn’t help but glance over again, which only made Jiang He angrier.
“What are you sniffing for?!”
She had already said her feet weren’t washed, and here he was, doing it on purpose. This guy really had a thing for shoes!
“Uh... honestly, there’s no smell.” Xu Qing’s hand instinctively lifted again, but upon noticing Jiang He’s dangerous look, he quickly put it down.
The movie was only halfway through, but neither of them had the mood to continue watching. Xu Qing moved Winter Melon aside and fast-forwarded to the film’s action-packed climax to edit the fight scenes into a montage.
When making video compilations, the key was rhythm and smooth transitions. It had to flow in a way that captured viewers’ attention, making them rewatch or save the video instead of closing it halfway through.
After a quick rough cut of the movie scenes, Xu Qing saved the file, planning to edit it tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Jiang He launched a game, testing out the duel arena while casually flexing her toes. She discreetly sniffed them when Xu Qing wasn’t looking.
There really wasn’t any smell—she hadn’t left the house all day and had been sitting here the whole time.
But she still wanted to hit him.
As the PvP match began, Jiang He pushed the earlier incident aside and focused on the fight.
After two rounds and a two-out-of-three victory, she turned her head, only to see Xu Qing fiddling with a metal ring using pliers, completely engrossed.
“You don’t need to rush learning that. You could make a title like ‘A Beginner’s Journey in the Duel Arena,’ and livestream your duels. It’s content. Who knows, maybe some bored viewers will watch.”
“That’s normal. Your rank is so low; you’re only up against noobs.”
“What’s a noob?”
“Players much weaker than you. Sometimes flashy, but not very skilled.”
“Oh...” Jiang He replied, sounding like she’d had an epiphany.
??
Xu Qing frowned. Was she being sarcastic?
Evening passed quickly. After Jiang He secured an eight-match winning streak—making Xu Qing wonder whether her opponents were just bad or if she really had talent—she turned off her computer. She padded back to the storeroom but emerged moments later and casually returned to her main bedroom under Xu Qing’s calm gaze.
Switching rooms still felt a bit strange, but Xu Qing’s bed was undeniably large and comfortable.
She grabbed her pajamas and headed to the bathroom. Outside, Xu Qing continued working on the ring. Making a piece of clothing out of these rings was no easy feat—it was harder than knitting a sweater. Though he’d never knit before, he figured sweaters didn’t hurt your hands this much.
Then again, maybe they did. From that perspective, both were equally difficult.
The sound of running water lasted for ten minutes before Jiang He stepped out in a cloud of steam, removing her shower cap. She was like a little celestial being, fragrant and radiant. Her loose pajamas hung casually on her body.
She looked down at her legs, feeling conflicted.
“I’m done with my shower.”
“Mm, I’ll shower in a bit,” Xu Qing replied without looking up. Moments later, two slender, pristine legs appeared in his line of sight.
“They’re clean now.”
“...”
Xu Qing raised his head. Jiang He, red-faced, avoided his gaze and clutched the hem of her clothes tightly.
She couldn’t help but wish time could rewind when she remembered him sniffing earlier.
“You were clean to begin with,” Xu Qing said, laughing. “Really, there was no smell at all.”
“Really?” Jiang He wanted to make up for earlier but didn’t know how. Should she let him smell again?
Why had he even done that?
After hesitating for a moment, she turned and went back to her room.
“Goodnight!”